Charlotte Neighborhoods to Explore:

If you’re moving to Charlotte, NC and not from the South, here’s the good news: most people aren’t. The area has become a melting pot of people from all around the country, making it easy to get acquainted in no time.

From its charming bungalows and vibrant nightlife to commercial hubs and family friendly communities, it’s no wonder Charlotte made Forbes’ list of 10 places people are moving to right now. But where exactly are they moving?

Since choosing a home will be one of the most important decisions you make while living in Charlotte, we put together a guide to help you get acquainted with Queen City.

Eastover

If you’d like some distance from the hustle and bustle of the city but still enjoy the convenience of a short drive to town, the Eastover neighborhood is for you. Eastover is considered one of the most historic districts in all of Charlotte (and it was even the first suburb where homes were built with driveways)!

This residential community features beautiful homes, large shaded lots and some of the friendliest neighbors in all of Charlotte. While Eastover has a rich history dating all the way back to 1927, its familiar faces welcome newcomers with open arms. You’ll soon come to find why this neighborhood is one of the most sought-after areas in North Carolina.

Eastover also offers local shops and restaurants, beautiful parks and close proximity to schools. Not to mention the business and entertainment opportunities in Uptown Charlotte are just minutes away. Eastover residents love that they can count on a quick commute time and spend their evenings kicking back and relaxing.

Eastover Schools

In the Eastover area, you’ll find Armstrong Elementary, Eastover-Central and Eastover Elementary. Built in 1953, Eastover Elementary School was the first elementary school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) district to successfully implement a uniform policy. After elementary school, students enter Alexander Graham Middle School followed by Myers Park High School.

Uptown Charlotte

Location: Central CharlottePopulation: 16,500Known for: Thriving business and entertainment center, four wards, heart of Queen City

Uptown Charlotte—otherwise known as Charlotte City Center—is the heartbeat of the Queen City. First things first, why in the world is downtown called Uptown?

“Uptown was originally the highest point of elevation, and the city grew around it,” notes Charlotte historian Tom Hanchett. “When people came to this area, they were actually going up.”

The area is split into four neighborhoods, or “wards,” by the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. The streets originally divided Uptown into four quadrants for political purposes so each area had its own representative, but the names for the quadrants stuck. Since then, Uptown has come to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.

From small tech startups to Fortune 500 companies, Uptown offers endless creative and entrepreneurial opportunities in addition to a booming banking scene. Charlotte has created endless jobs at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC and Fifth Third. Tens of thousands of people travel there to work and play each day, but Uptown also offers phenomenal places to live. From high-rise condos to revitalized Victorian homes, residents enjoy the fast-paced vibe and friendly community.

Uptown Schools

Charlotte has 168 primary and secondary schools. Children can attend their neighborhood schools or charter schools. Low-income students are also eligible for scholarship funding to attend private schools. Notable schools in the Uptown district include Johnson & Wales University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Ballantyne

Nestled on 2,000 acres of land adjacent to the South Carolina border, Ballantyne is one of Charlotte’s newest upscale communities. In a city of newcomers, Ballantyne is the ultimate newcomer hub. Though the area is part of Charlotte, most locals view Ballantyne as a city within itself—with its own country club, a PGA-ranked golf course and plenty of opportunities to live, work and play without leaving the area.

Home to Fortune 500 headquarters and more than 35 Fortune 500 companies, Ballantyne is a highly desirable place to work. Ballantyne Corporate Park is a nationally recognized business community offering endless amenities, community events, wellness benefits like biking trails and a state-of-the-art YMCA, and more than six million square feet of office space.

While this mini-city tends to do its own thing, most residents appreciate the fact that Uptown is just 20 miles north. Sidewalks and bike paths offer easy trips to dining, shopping and recreation without long commutes.

Ballantyne Schools

If you’re planning on raising a family in Charlotte, you have several options for schools near the Ballantyne area. Ballantyne Elementary, Ballantyne School of Music and Hawk Ridge Elementary all have excellent reviews. Ardrey Kell High School also has an A+ overall rating with 2,701 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 21:1.

Myers Park

Tucked away between Dilworth and South Park is one of the Queen City’s oldest and most prestigious neighborhoods, Myers Park. Between its tree-lined streets, historic mansions and curving driveways, families will fall in love with the area in no time.

A Local’s Take on Myers Park

Charlotteans consider the Myers Park neighborhood to be one of the city’s most prestigious locations. Nearby you’ll find the 98-acre “Central Park” of Charlotte, Freedom Park. From a 7-acre lake and paved trails to athletic fields and beautiful scenery, the park is a favorite of joggers, sightseers and families. If you regularly enjoy running, walking or just enjoying the outdoors, Myers Park is the perfect place to take a stroll and get in some miles. The Booty Loop has become one of the best routes in Charlotte due to its traffic-free intersections and scenic route.

When you’re not burning the calories, keep in mind that Myers Park is best traveled by car or bike. While Uptown Charlotte is just a few minutes away, the neighborhood was intended to be an auto-oriented suburb.

Myers Park Schools

In this neighborhood, residents can attend Myers Park Traditional Elementary and Myers Park High School. Queens University of Charlotte is also a historic liberal arts school noted for its scenic setting.

SouthPark

A post shared by ruardveltmanarchitecture (@ruardveltmanarchitecture) on Aug 16, 2017 at 3:57am PDT

Just six miles south of Uptown sits SouthPark. The SouthPark neighborhood is one of the safest areas in Charlotte and boasts some of the best schools, shopping areas and lowest crime rates around. If you’re moving to Charlotte and enjoy living luxuriously, the SouthPark neighborhood just might be for you.

What It’s Like to Live in SouthPark

If you enjoy shopping until you drop, the SouthPark neighborhood has everything you need. At nearly 1.8 million square feet, the SouthPark Mall is the largest shopping mall in Charlotte and all of North Carolina. It’s home to Nordstrom’s, Macy’s and many more distinguished shops.

SouthPark offers a great residential area and also one of the largest business districts in Charlotte with approximately 40,000 employees. The neighborhoods are elegant, established and nestled away with wooded lots and tree-lined streets. Whether you want to avoid traffic or you want to raise a family in a semi-urban atmosphere, SouthPark is a wonderful place to call home.

Matthews

If you’re moving to Charlotte while raising a family, the Matthews neighborhood might be for you. This award-winning suburban town offers beautiful (yet affordable) homes, great schools, a short commute, low taxes, and convenient access to everything Charlotte has to offer.

Matthews residents enjoy its proximity to many of Charlotte’s business and entertainment opportunities. Just 10 miles from Uptown with several major roads and bus routes to get you there, Matthews also has access to a full calendar of family-friendly festivals and events.

The McDowell Arts Center hosts classes and gallery shows, and the year-round community farmers’ market is the oldest in the area. In the summer, Stumptown Park offers family-friendly events like concerts and movies. Lake Wylie is also just 20 miles west, making the perfect weekend trip.

Despite its recent growth and popularity, Matthews still has a quaint, small-town feel. The community-oriented city has been called one of the best suburbs to live in and also one of the safest cities in North Carolina.

Matthews Schools

Matthews residents are part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. Schools include Matthews Elementary, Crown Point Elementary, Mint Hill Middle and David W. Butler High School. Public charter schools include Matthews Charter Academy and Socrates Academy. There are also a number of religious schools nearby.

Plaza-Midwood

Plaza-Midwood is nearly a century old and full of rich history, yet it’s also urban and hip. The heart of Plaza Midwood features the historic Van Landingham Estate and one of America’s most prestigious country clubs, the Charlotte Country Club.

If you’re looking to get involved in your community, the Plaza-Midwood Neighborhood Association is one of the most active in all of Charlotte. It maintains a neighborhood watch program, a community garden and events like school fundraisers, clean-up days and festivals.

Residents of Plaza-Midwood also have access to some of the largest employers in all of Charlotte. American Airlines, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Carolinas Healthcare System are all just a short drive away.

Who Lives in Plaza-Midwood?

Plaza-Midwood offers unique shopping and dining opportunities and the neighborhood is diverse. Residents range from single professionals who work Uptown to couples starting a family. From festivals to local events and food trucks, there is always something going on in this neighborhood. You’ll also enjoy its pedestrian-friendly streets that allow you to take a stroll with your dog or baby on any given day.

Plaza-Midwood Schools

Plaza-Midwood has a 93% high school graduation rate and a high livability score. Public school students living in this neighborhood will attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, including the historic Garinger High School.

Huntersville

A post shared by E and O in NC (@ncliving24) on Aug 7, 2017 at 9:07am PDT

Just 15 miles north of Charlotte, the historic Huntersville neighborhood sits on the shores of beautiful Lake Norman. The area features a range of housing options from cottages on wooded lots to beautiful single family homes with waterfront views. Families moving to Charlotte who happen to be outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy fishing, swimming and boating year-round.

Huntersville has every amenity imaginable including 18 parks, gyms and multi-purpose facilities. Among the town’s most popular parks is the Historic Latta Plantation, featuring 1200 acres of historic sites, nature preserves, trails for biking, hiking or horseback riding and access to Mountain Island Lake. Huntersville is also conveniently located within minutes of major interstates I-77 and I-485.

Huntersville, NC is the perfect place to soak in the sun and raise a family. Simple commutes, ample farmland and easy lake access make this neighborhood a great place to call home.

Huntersville Schools

Huntersville is known for having some of the best schools in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. North Mecklenburg High, Huntersville Elementary, Torrence Creek Elementary and Barnette Elementary all sit high on the list of public school rankings. Davidson College, a prestigious liberal arts college, also sits just miles north of the Huntersville neighborhood.

Dilworth

Dilworth is Charlotte’s oldest streetcar suburb, dating all the way back to the late 1800s. Residents work to preserve the structures and history that give Dilworth its charming character.

Located just south of Uptown, the neighborhood is unlike the rest of the bustling city. Residents can practically walk to attractions like locally owned shops, restaurants and incredible nearby parks. It’s also common to see neighbors sitting on their front porches, taking an evening stroll and waving friendly hellos as you pass by.

Dilworth residents will enjoy the close proximity to East Boulevard, Bank of America Stadium, Epicentre and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Newcomers will have plenty of housing options from renovated historic homes to beautiful rebuilt bungalows and Queen Anne-style homes. Average home prices for Dilworth are around $479,000 and the cost of living is 33% higher than the average for Charlotte.

Dilworth Schools

The public schools in Dilworth are part of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District. Top-rated schools in the Dilworth area include Dilworth Elementary (K-4) and St. Patrick Catholic School (K-8).

Let’s Talk About Life in Charlotte

Now that you know some of the best places to live in Charlotte, let’s talk about buying a home and building a career.

Here are some need-to-know facts:

Charlotte’s population is 774,807.

The median age in Charlotte is 33.

The average temperature in Charlotte is 59.8°F.

41% of Charlotte residents are from out of state.

On a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100, crime in Charlotte is a 54.

Overall livability in Charlotte is 68.

Over the past 10 years, 888,000 people have moved to the Charlotte metro area.

The Job Market

Charlotte’s economy is a job-producing machine. Several Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Charlotte, including Bank of America, Duke Energy and Wells Fargo. Forbes also named Charlotte one of the happiest cities for young professionals. The more residents stay there, the more their work and play converge.

“Charlotte is an employment destination,” notes Rebecca Tippett, director of Carolina Demography at UNC Chapel Hill’s Demography Center. “The area has net in-migration at all age groups, but it’s concentrated at 18 to 34. Most people are coming after college with degrees, and our presence of jobs pulls people here.”

Cost of Living

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economics, Charlotte’s cost of living is lower than most comparable cities. This is due to lower housing costs than tech hubs like Seattle and Denver. While Charlotte offers affordable living, realtors in the area can also quickly sell houses for $500,000—a great sign that the community is doing well.

Is Charlotte Safe?

Like most major cities, crime is something to be aware of if you’re moving to Charlotte. But crime is on the decline. Though there are certain parts of town where you wouldn’t want to walk alone, residents feel that Charlotte is safe, friendly and welcoming.

So, is Charlotte a good place to live?

Pin for Later:

Taking all factors into consideration–plenty of jobs to go around, a healthy housing market and declining crime rates–Charlotte is a great place to live. Just over the last two decades, Charlotte has become a magnet for millennials, young professionals and growing families.

About the Author

Molli Spear

Hi there! I’m Molli, and I am the Content Manager at Life Storage. Organization and thrifty DIY ideas are a necessity for life in my small Buffalo, NY apartment where my husband, two daughters and I reside. That’s why I’m excited to share with you the latest in home organization, storage and DIY décor from our experts on the Life Storage blog!

Great post, I recently decided I wanted to move to Charlotte NC, It looks amazing and I could really use a change of pace; so I really appreciate the information you gave I plan on looking for a home in Huntersville NC, they have amazing D.R. Horton homes there and I know if I buy a home I will really be able to put down some roots and have a real life there. thanks again.

Thank you so much for reading our article, Betsy! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Good luck on your move to Charlotte! That’s very exciting. And if you need any self-storage to help your transition, we may know a place or two that could help. 😉

Beau Ferguson

Hi Betsy! Stumbled upon your post……..I’m a Realtor in Charlotte and familiar with several of the DR Horton Communities. Even when buying new construction, it’s important to have a Realtor on your side. In fact, we can often get you a better price. If you’re not working with a Realtor already, please reach out to me……I know Huntersville very well! Call me at 704-661-2678 or email me at: beau@charlottefever.com
Thanks, Beau Ferguson